In the news…who’s to blame?

Being a parent is hard. In fact, it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But that’s not really saying much since I’m kinda lazy. I can admit that.

But on top of being the most difficult thing I have ever done, it is also the most important. I have heard every mom in the world say this but does everyone mean it?

I spend my days being a role model for her, regardless of if I try or not.

Audrey, this is how mommy is polite by saying “please” and “thank you”.

Audrey, this is how mommy pets the dogs nicely with soft hands.

Audrey, this is how mommy eats her snack with her mouth closed.

Audrey, this is how mommy goes peepee on the big potty.

But along with the good, our kids are also getting the bad. I can’t tell you how many times I get on Rutherford for watching his mouth…but in reality, it’s my mouth she copies more than anyones. The worst we’ve had has been me calling the cart at Babies R Us “crap” and she decided to call everything else in the store “crap” as well. In her defense, some of it was.

We, as parents, are raising little mirrors, mini me’s. If you’re going to be a wonderful, compassionate, level-headed asset to society, well so is your kid. But if you’re going to be a hate-filled, racist, disrespectful, raging a-hole, dredge on humanity…well, thank you very much for raising the next person to break into my car. My insurance company appreciates your contribution.

The reason I bring this up is because of what I saw today. Now it’s not often that I blog about current events (I stayed away from the Time cover controversy except on my Facebook page where I am a little more liberal), but this…not this I needed to address because I wanted to see what you guys thought.

Today my eyes were accosted by the video of a very nice older woman who spends her semi-retired life ensuring our middle school aged children make it safely to their destination via the big yellow school bus. Unfortunately, on this bus with her were the exact opposite of what I am trying to raise my daughter to be. On the bus with her with the type of kids I pray she rebukes, the type of kids I hope she finds repulsive and lame on the playground, the type of kids we are not raising her to be.

These kids bullied and taunted this poor woman for being “fat” until she cried and then harassed her for that, as well.

For 10 whole minutes. While being video taped by anther student.

That poor lady. (On a side note, there has been an outpouring of support for this woman and even a donation fund started, which at last check, totalled over $150,000.)

I have to say after watching the video, I have to commend her patience. I’m sorry but if your kid were doing this to me, I can’t guarantee I wouldn’t drop kick your kid. Not kidding. At all. And if it were my kid doing that to you, well, I give you full right to drop kid them, as well.

So whose fault is this, the parents or the kids…maybe both? Like I said, loving, attentive, involved parents don’t raise kids who think this is okay behavior. Now, I will say that good kids make mistakes but if you watch all 10 minutes of this video, you will see that this is not just a comment in poor taste or a little teasing made in a group situation. No, this is cruel, incessant, vicious bullying.

These kids, pardon my French, are assholes. And I can say this because they are old enough to know better. If you are old enough to know better but refuse to do better, you are an asshole, my friend.

Plain and simple.

Now, back to our question and I’m sure you can already see where I’m leaning. I whole heartedly see this as a parenting issue. So am I wrong? What would you do if this was your child? What type of punishment fits this crime? What would you do if this were YOU? Do you mind if I drop kick you kid if it is? (Just asking, just in case.)

Comments

No, you’re not wrong at all. Not AT ALL. If one of my children were in this video, they’d spend the entire summer in their room, with no internet, no TV, no cell phones, nothing. They’d be writing. They’d be writing a book to me about where I went wrong as a parent – because I’d feel like I messed up somehow if my children EVER spoke to ANYONE in that manner. They’d be writing endless apology letters to that poor woman who has more patience than a Saint. They’d be writing essays on how they should treat other people. I’d think of more. that’s just a start.

I don’t spank my kids. I’m pretty sure it would take a monumental amount of self control to not begin doing so with my junior high student if this happened.

I’m truly appalled. And disgusted. If they have good parents, I feel for those parents. Because I know that sometimes, kids act in ways that we don’t model and that we’d be appalled at. If that’s the case, I hope they continue their good parenting and make this the lesson of a lifetime. And then some.

If they have “crappy” parents, well, then, that explains it. But I still hope that they step up and do something.

I am so sad for this woman. My heart hurts. Listening to that was a very terrible 10 minute experience. She is a good, good person because as you said, she had ever right to drop kick those kids. At a minimum.